Texas may pay schools to use curriculum critics say is overtly Christian

AUSTIN, Texas — State education leaders recently proposed elementary school materials infused with Bible teachings. Critics say it’s another attempt by Texas Republicans to put more Christianity in public schools. 

State Board of Education members are deciding on what type of curriculum to approve for elementary school students. There are around 10 sets of materials for the board to review, but the Open Education Resource textbooks created by the Texas Education Agency have raised red flags from some board members. 

“That’s when all of the stuff started getting introduced with the biblical references,” Aicha Davis, a State Board of Education member, said. 

One of the Christian biblical references found in the state’s work has fifth-graders reading “sections from the Book of Daniel to better understand Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s reference to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in his ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail.’”

“It doesn’t really talk about the things that King was experiencing and his different aspects of why the letter was necessary,” said Davis. 

The state-developed materials also include instructions for first-graders to recognize the connection of the Christian biblical story of Moses to the Liberty Bell. A religious scholar who reviewed the material for the state says the infusion of religion provides context about American history. 

“These stories are as fairly presented in terms of the biblical content as stories that we present on Greek mythology, on the Mayan and Central American religious heritage,” said Dr. Marvin McNeese Jr., chair of the Department of General Education at College of Biblical Studies. 

There is also no expectation for teachers to be religious experts. 

“If they stick to the script, then we’re going to be on safe ground here,” said McNeese. 

One concerned grandparent says the materials violate separation of church and state and worries students will be heavily influenced by the Christian church. 

“I think this could easily lead students to believe that only a religion labeled as Christian is the best and the most important one in the world. And that kind of messaging does not belong in our public schools,” said Robert Norris with Grandparents for Public Schools. 

It’s ultimately up to local school districts to adopt the curriculum. There is concern about the incentive that the state’s curriculum is free. 

“America was also founded on other things, right, but at least the Bible is part of the founding of America,” Staci Childs, a State Board of Education member, said. 

All districts will receive $40 per student for choosing the curriculum from the approved list. If they select the Texas Education Agency materials, they will get an additional $20 per student to cover the cost of printing. The board will approve its final list of reviewed instructional materials in November.